The Substitute Bride

Feeling sick to her stomach again, Isla silently groaned as she clutched at her abdominal region. She stayed in the bathroom and gritted her teeth in order not to make a sound. If Aron heard her, he would become upset and she didn't want him to be upset.

A long time later, when she felt better, she stood up and heaved a sigh of relief. Then she flushed the stink-pot and let out a groan.

She thought that Aron wouldn't hear her over the sound of the flush, but right after she flushed, she knew that she was wrong.

"Are you okay, Isla? Does it hurt again?" Aron shouted anxiously as he knocked on the door.

Isla felt a small warmth rising in her chest, despite her suffering like this. Having Aron being concerned for her was touching and it made her be able to stand the pain.

"No, I'm fine. Don't worry," she managed to reply. All of a sudden, the pain in her stomach seemed nothing compared to the love and concern that Aron had for her. She turned to wash her hands, wiped the sweat off her face, and then turned to go out.

Aron was waiting outside the door; he took her in her arms as soon as it opened and helped her back to bed.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked again, unable to bear the pain that he felt.

Isla shook her head and forced a smile. "No. You're worrying too much. I'm fine. I'll say if it hurts. You know me."

"That's right! You'll cry even if you catch a cold. You hate hurting, and having pain." Aron gave her an understanding smile. Isla was his girl, with everything that came with her.

Isla sighed quietly and looked out the window. "It's getting bright. You'd better have some sleep before going to work," she said.

"No, I'll take the day off. I'll stay here with you," Aron said.

"No, I can manage it myself. You can't do anything even if you're here. Don't worry! The doctors can take good care of me! People will blame me for holding you back!" Isla told him. Her tone riddled with seriousness and worry.

"No one will blame you for that. I'll stay here until you're discharged. I don't think I can devote myself to my work when I know you're alone in the hospital," Aron explained to her, and he did mean every word of it.

"Please go to work. I won't be alone. I'll call Sheryl to come over," Isla said. "She'll come over as soon as I call her. Please don't worry about me anymore."

"No, that doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Sheryl has a husband and

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"I'm just kidding! Relax! You look as pretty as a morning rose! Go and wash your hands. Let's have breakfast!" Aron stumbled over his words a bit, guilty for his poor word choice.

"That's it! Don't make fun of me anymore! It's annoying!" Isla pouted. She rolled her eyes and let go of her bag. She walked into the bathroom to wash her hands and face.

Aron couldn't help but laugh. He watched her go into the bathroom, shaking his head.

Clearly she valued her appearance more than anything else, so he had better stop joking around, or else he would be in deep trouble.

He went to the small table in the room and placed the bento box on it. At the same time, a nurse came in with a tray in her hands.

"Is this Isla Zhao's ward?" the nurse asked, looking at the label on the door.

Aron turned towards the door and smiled. The nurse was cute and kind-looking.

"Yes. She is in the bathroom right now. Is there anything I can do for you?" he asked politely.

"No, thank you. Good to meet you finally, Aron!" the nurse exclaimed. She put her tray on the bed table and then reached out her hand toward Aron.

"You know me? But I don't think we know each other," Aron said surprisingly. He shook hands with the nurse, wondering at the back of his mind who she could be. It seemed that she knew Isla.

"No, we didn't. But I know Isla, and you're her husband, right?" The nurse smiled sweetly at him.

"Right, good to meet you! I'm Aron Gu, Isla's husband. She'll be here in a minute. May I have your name?" Aron asked, figuring that he would get to know her since she was Isla's friend.